THE ORIGIN OF CONSCIOUSNESS

I can only conclude after reading so many positive reviews about this album that it's "over my head". I just can't get into this music. I didn't like it the first time I heard it, and after many listens I can at least appreciate it but I can't enjoy it.

"Julian Ur" opens with dark sounds that build. Piano takes over then a full sound. It settles quickly with vocals. Some drastic mood and tempo swings on this one. The synths are melancholic before 5 minutes and the song stays that way to the end. "Julian I" features some nice chunky bass. The vocals are almost in the background throughout this album, almost like they were mixed too low. Synths dominate around 1 1/2 minutes. "Love Is A Vagabond King" is an instrumental and it's actualy upbeat early on. Lots of synths then the guitar leads a minute in followed by piano. Then the drums take their turn before 2 minutes. Guitar is back. Chunky bass before 4 1/2 minutes. Piano comes in as it settles right down 7 1/2 minutes in. "Halo" has these synths and vocals that come and go. Piano after a minute. Spoken words before 2 1/2 minutes then it kicks in instrumentally as vocals stop. Vocals are back 6 minutes in as it settles. Piano ends it.

"The Canal At Sunset" is mellow to open then the tempo picks up as vocals come in. This is almost a straight forward track. "Metaphor" opens with some huge bass before we get a beat with piano and guitar. Vocals follow. Great sound 2 minutes in. "Creeper (The Doorman Pt.2)" is the longest track at 13 1/2 minutes. Piano to start as reserved vocals come in. A fuller sound 3 minutes in. I like the section around 8 minutes where the bass throbs until 10 1/2 minutes in when it settles with vocals and piano. "Julian II" opens with lots of keyboards and drums. Vocals 1 1/2 minutes in as it settles right down. It kicks in heavily after 3 1/2 minutes. The piano and drums are outstanding a minute later and so is the guitar that follows. Best song on the album.

Critics seem to like this band, i'm having trouble in that regard.